School changes needed

Published: Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:52 a.m.

Editor: I have written twice before voicing my strong support for the leadership within the Davidson County Schools. This one will deviate.

Recently we have witnessed a second situation within a few years where a Davidson County Schools administrator who is a direct descendant of another administrator has brought negative press to the system. When school leaders act in a manner that is against the law, violate students rights and endangers their lives, it is worth noting. Being chased around by law enforcement isn't something we expect from those we are supposed to respect.

It seems relationship connections and promotions may be at least somewhat of an issue within the schools. Many employees in the system have scored high grades correctly guessing who the next top people would be 5 to 10 years in advance. Do the most qualified people get the jobs in the Davidson County Schools?

As you may have guessed this writer has his own — albeit small — story. A few years ago I returned to the high school level as a counselor. I did that primarily because the head counselor at Central Davidson High had repeatedly asked me to join that department.

Soon afterward I was asked by the athletic director and principal to coach the tennis team. I knew the current coach, who I won several city and county doubles titles with, was ready for me to take over. Many parents in the community also expected me to take the role. I had played college tennis at the same school my principal graduated from, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There I was the number one player and won the most valuable award. I had also won multiple city and county singles titles. I had been tennis coach of the year at Ledford.

While my principal said to me, "Charlie, I am not sure counselors can coach here at Central Davidson," Brad Morton was immediately hired to be a counselor and football coach. So I pushed the tennis job issue and almost immediately was told — and not by my principal — "Back off or you will not be working here."

Shortly thereafter I was told in front of several other counselors by the county testing administrator that I was accused of cheating on end-of-course testing, a criminal offense. The accuser was the same well-connected person who had blocked my coaching assignment. Later I got an apology but no coaching assignment, and the accuser received no consequences.

The same year all these accusations began Dr. Tony Peele called me to a meeting where he said, "Charlie, Dr. (Fred) Mock and I consider you one of the five best counselors we have ever known."

Carol Crouse is a strong independent school board leader. I hope the connections/untouchables culture within the Davidson County school system is taken out to the woodshed.

<p>Editor: I have written twice before voicing my strong support for the leadership within the Davidson County Schools. This one will deviate.</p><p>Recently we have witnessed a second situation within a few years where a Davidson County Schools administrator who is a direct descendant of another administrator has brought negative press to the system. When school leaders act in a manner that is against the law, violate students rights and endangers their lives, it is worth noting. Being chased around by law enforcement isn't something we expect from those we are supposed to respect.</p><p>It seems relationship connections and promotions may be at least somewhat of an issue within the schools. Many employees in the system have scored high grades correctly guessing who the next top people would be 5 to 10 years in advance. Do the most qualified people get the jobs in the Davidson County Schools?</p><p>As you may have guessed this writer has his own — albeit small — story. A few years ago I returned to the high school level as a counselor. I did that primarily because the head counselor at Central Davidson High had repeatedly asked me to join that department.</p><p>Soon afterward I was asked by the athletic director and principal to coach the tennis team. I knew the current coach, who I won several city and county doubles titles with, was ready for me to take over. Many parents in the community also expected me to take the role. I had played college tennis at the same school my principal graduated from, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There I was the number one player and won the most valuable award. I had also won multiple city and county singles titles. I had been tennis coach of the year at Ledford.</p><p>While my principal said to me, "Charlie, I am not sure counselors can coach here at Central Davidson," Brad Morton was immediately hired to be a counselor and football coach. So I pushed the tennis job issue and almost immediately was told — and not by my principal — "Back off or you will not be working here."</p><p>Shortly thereafter I was told in front of several other counselors by the county testing administrator that I was accused of cheating on end-of-course testing, a criminal offense. The accuser was the same well-connected person who had blocked my coaching assignment. Later I got an apology but no coaching assignment, and the accuser received no consequences.</p><p>The same year all these accusations began Dr. Tony Peele called me to a meeting where he said, "Charlie, Dr. (Fred) Mock and I consider you one of the five best counselors we have ever known." </p><p>Carol Crouse is a strong independent school board leader. I hope the connections/untouchables culture within the Davidson County school system is taken out to the woodshed.</p><p>Charles Young Sink</p><p>Lexington</p>